The Fourth of July

So, I have tried for about three weeks to upload these pictures and something kept happening with the computer or blogger or something. Anyway, it finally worked and so now you can catch up on the Days of your life!

Fourth of July, 6 a.m., Xander leaves for his first boy scout camp. He was so excited and I was so torn! He's growing up so fast right before my very eyes and I am soaking in every moment I can with him!

As you can tell, he was ready to leave and I needed "just one more picture" of him!

Ok, just one more as he leaves for the car!

He had a great time and earned several merit badges and has been pro-scouting ever since! He's working hard on getting as many merit badges as he can.

Garrett led the flag ceremony at the Fourth of July breakfast. He loves scouting also and I wish Grandpa Butler could be here to see them love scouting so much.

The Sunday School presidency was in charge of the breakfast. Sunday after church Jason says to me that the president wants some decorations.....I have less than 12 hours notice! Luckily, I can come up with something from nothing! Not my greatest work, but it was just fine for pancakes and syrup!

After breakfast they had a bike parade. Savannah rode her bike around the church about 6 times! I was really proud of her! She can pedal her bike by herself, so she is very independent!!!

Garrett led the pack in the bike rally! He must have gone around 75 times by the time it was over!

Eleanor and some of her friends from her primary class. It was so hot and muggy - typical east coast summer day!

That night we watched fireworks at the neighbors house on the pipestem. Savannah and Grace loved the sparklers!

I can't believe how grown up he looks!

Eleanor with her neighborhood chums.

We live in the best neighborhood. There are 13 children under the age of 12 on the pipestem. We play together almost every day and they are like brothers and sisters. Someday they will be all grown up and have children of their own, but I hope they remember the great times on the pipestem!

Blessings from heaven......

No, this is not a picture of manna coming from the skies. It is actually a very destructive hailstorm that hit our area last year....

It was amazing to see and hear! It was so loud and came so fast! (look how young Xander and Garrett look!)

Interestingly enough, it was a pocket storm. There were only a few neighborhoods hit in the area. Ours was one of them. Xander had a friend over at the time and five minutes away, where she lives, was completely untouched. Not even a dark cloud!

After the storm, the kids ran outside to show how big the hail was. After that, it was time to assess the damage. We had some hits on our cars, but our house was really hit hard.

Because we have the "vintage" aluminum siding, the hail did a lot of damage. Most of the neighborhood houses ended up getting new roofs and new siding. We weren't going to make a claim, but then were advised that we should. It was a blessing in disguise, as our siding is in really sad shape! We were trying to figure out how we were going to pay for new siding in the future. Not only did we get coverage for new siding, but also a new roof, new gutters and new siding - talk about blessings from heaven!

So, I have spent the last several months working with different contractors, getting estimates and doing research on the best options. It is a lot of time and effort and work to make the best decisions! There are so many options and pricing and people who want you to spend money! Whew! I am glad everything is over! It took so long for some of this stuff!!! Some of my meetings with the contractors were two and three hours long!! I wanted to make sure I made the best decision and did the right thing and I know it will pay off in the end.

This morning, the roofing materials were delivered to the roof. Tuesday is the big day for our new roof. Then Thursday is the day for the siding and gutters and everything else. We paid a little more money and we are getting new shutters, a new door and wrapping all the wood to prevent rot. I cannot wait to see the end result!

The house will look brand new!!!!

All the rotting wood and trim will be replaced and/or wrapped. The new door will be top of the line. I am so blessed! It is just what I have needed to move ahead with everything that has gone on this last year!

So, take a good look at the house. It will be a totally different house in a week or two! I can't wait to show you pictures!!!!!!

And wait until you see the new color of the house too......

REGROUPING.....

It was a long, hard year.

After school got out, we retreated for awhile to lick our wounds and just heal from the trauma of everything.

I was exhausted.

The kids were exhausted.

I know poor Jason was exhausted.

As I came out of my stupor from everything, I decided we needed a fresh start.

I started a list a mile long with things I want to do for the house and our family. We have been in this house six years. It needs some upgrades and TLC. Some things are going to require more money than we have right now. Some things are going to be a quick fix! Be sure and check out my creative blog, www.onecreativeday.blogspot.com and www.sixdaysofmusic.blogspot.com (my primary blog) to see what keeps me busy! I am in the mood to create and get things done!

So! I am recommitting to blogging. It is good for me to journal everything. I know how much I enjoy everyone's blogs, so I am going to get back on track!

The Lord has blessed us immensely....more than I can describe in words. I am grateful for the gospel and my family, my husband and my children. I am grateful for this country. I am grateful for my talents. I am blessed!